Downloading

[Ed Smith]

I was wondering whether people don't mind downloading large files/videos from the web. If you don't mind downloading large files - what would the largest file size be?

I.e.

An 1 minute video compressed to MPEG, file size 20 mb

Do you mind a lower quality video which lasts longer, or a higher quality video which is shorter.

Hope this makes sense,

Ed Smith

[Peter Koller]

I think one minute should be under 10mb. Let´s say between 7 and 10mb for clips that last a few minutes.

Cheers,

[Bill Ravens]

Ed...

For my preferences, I put a lot of effort into producing high image quality video. I will distribute nothing less and will not spend any time on low rez. Therefore, give me short, hi-rez, hi quality stuff over long, poor rez blather. This is a large issue with the development of internet streaming video. Until hi quality stuff can be streamed into every portal, video on the internet will be limited to flash type animations.

[Rob Lohman]

I always go for the best quality. I regurlay download files
in the area of 100 - 800 mb. But it might be wise to offer
different size to accomodate not so eager to download people.
As long as I can download it (instead of only streaming it)
and the quality is good I am happy!

[John Locke]

Cleaner can produce three different files for different modem speeds (with one click)...plus generate the code for the web page.

[Ed Smith]

Cheers guys for your import. I thought that people don't mind downloading good quality large file sized videos, its just I was trying to justify the space on my server to put some of the work I have done, including my showreel.

Next thing I am thinking about is Internet TV - now thats my dream, my own TV station broadcasting live to millions of people through out the world from my back yard, dream on...dream on...

Any way of doing Internet TV via a PC?

Cheers

Ed

[Rob Lohman]

Ed,

This is already possible.... through streaming media. Most
of the streaming software out there supports "live" broad
casting I believe. The problems you are facing though are:

1. quality : the slower your connection and the clients
(or the network it goes over) the more worse the
quality/resolution/fps becomes.

2. your bandwidth: to support multiple broadcasts you
need bandwidth. The more the better. This is going to
chance in the near future with the new IP standard IPv6.
This standard allows routers to distribute your signal
to multiple clients instead of yourself. The more bandwidth
you need the more you pay, simple. For much users you
even need more than one server.

An interesting thing might be to talk to a streaming server
company. They have more bandwidth and server than you
can ever afford (or want to for that matter). They can scale
to hundred or thousand of users if needed (and if they are
good). Ofcourse this costs money as well. As everyhing does
in this world.

I hope you could follow it all... Good luck!

[Ed Smith]

Cheers Rob,

I was wondering if there was any software to create live internet broadcasts, like Live channel which is only available on Macs.

The only thing I have seen is a complete OB system made by Pinnacle called Stream genie (http://www.pinnaclesys.com/ProductPage.asp?Product_ID=26) - a portable studio in a box.

I'm looking for something which would allow me to have at least 3 live video feeds, with much of the features the Live Channel software has, but available on PC.

All the best,

Ed

[Rob Lohman]

Ed,

RealMedia has streaming server software. Microsoft and
QuickTime have this too. It is an application you install
which allows client to connect to your server and stream
from there. Ofcourse these packages cost money, but
perhaps you can find a demo or some other way to try
them.

[Ed Smith]

Thanks Rob, I'll look into it.

Is there any direct URL's for those types of software?

Cheers,

Ed

[Rob Lohman]

Ed,

I found the following ones in a couple of minutes:

Real: http://www.realnetworks.com/products/media_delivery.html
Quicktime: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/products/qtss/ (mac only?)
Windows Media: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/distribute/hosting.asp

[Ed Smith]

Thank you very much, those links have been most useful, and you have opened my eyes up to things which I had not realised I would need in order to create my dream.

Thanks again,

Ed

[Rob Lohman]

Your welcome!

[Bradley Miller]

For what it's worth, I have found that there are just too many different types of computer setups and far too many people on the planet that can achieve nothing better than dialup speeds. In most instances this is not because they don't want to spend the extra bucks each month for DSL (or equivalent), but because it is simply not available in their area. Is it fair to restrict downloading large files to people who just can't view them due to their connection? I don't think so.

I have found that people on broadband connections will rarely opt for the low rez download. Here is what I have started to offer for choices:

*QuickTime 320x240 30FPS IMA4 audio compression @ 44.1Khz

*QuickTime 320x240 15FPS IMA4 audio compression @ 44.1Khz

*QuickTime 160x120 15FPS IMA4 audio compression @ 44.1Khz

The top option is for people on broadband connections. The second option is for people on dialups who are patient. The third option is for people stuck with dialup. IMA4 is definitely the best sounding of all the various audio compressors availble for QuickTime.

But that didn't solve the problems, for lots of platforms can not play QuickTime. We have found MPEG looks pretty good, but not as good as QuickTime. For those people we offer:

*MPEG 320x240 30FPS

*MPEG 160x120 15FPS

Obviously the top one is for people who cannot play QuickTimes, but have a broadband connection. The latter is for people on dialup who can not play QuickTimes.

Then finally there is offered a full DV resolution file:

*DV QuickTime format 720x480 30FPS W/uncompressed audio

Of course these files are insanely large, but you would be very surprised at how many people DO download them! Non-linear home editing is a lot more commom than many people realize. :)

Bottom line, if you want your work seen, offer various options.

[Rob Lohman]

Do you have any numbers on which files and types get
downloaded how many times? It is interesting to see
what file type people actually prefer (besides DV).